Irish Military Online is in no way affiliated with the Irish Defence Forces. It is in no way sponsored or endorsed by the Irish Defence Forces or the Irish Government. Opinions expressed by the authors and contributors of this site are not necessarily those of the Defence Forces. If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Blue Max, Check out the map of Sudan. The Probs are in East Sudan, Darfur and Sth Sudan. They are thousands of miles away from a sea access. The roads are shocking so sea deployment is out. I ahve been there. Liberia on the other hand is a small country by the sea I have not been there yet.
Bandit

As You said earlier that one of the main problem conflict area was in the main port, "Port Sudan in *enemy territory* "realistically the only real possibility of deployment to the vast majority of mission areas i.e Liberia etc.. will be by sea it would be difficult to see a whole deployment by air (possible limited vechicle transport with other contributing nations assitance) so even if the mission area was land locked it could be shipped to a near by neighbouring country etc.. and either drive or transport the vehicles there etc...

Blue Max,
The conflict areas are well clear of Port Sudan thousands of Miles away. Avcroos por ofetn impassable roads-- so option Airlift . Port Sudan is an area whrer the Khartoum Govt who are one of the defacto protagonists in the conflict arres coud easily slow things down so as`to speak..
Lesson ends

Mr Goff said all seven of the Project Protector ships would make an important contribution to New Zealand's security and economic interests, as well increasing our capacity to assist in disaster relief in the Pacific.
"They will be operated by the Navy but they will undertake work for a range of government departments as part of a multi-agency approach to protecting our borders," Mr Goff said.

Interesting about what he says is a multi agency approach. Any chance the DCMNR might want to add a few euro to aquisition costs?

The fact that most commercial enterprises tend to give you better prices when you buy more from them. it would also give the option of mixing and matching MEKO modules between the 2 ships as the mission dictates.

According to this report from the Limerick Post the Minister has confirmed that the military are looking at an MRV so maybe there is a real chance that the NS will get what they want:

"Three ships, LE Aoife, LE Aisling and LE Emer are coming to the end of their 30-year life span and the army is considering a multi-role vessel which would take on a variety of tasks,” the Minister said.

"Three ships, LE Aoife, LE Aisling and LE Emer are coming to the end of their 30-year life span and the army is considering a multi-role vessel which would take on a variety of tasks,” the Minister said.

THE Navy is to get two new ships - one of which is likely to be the largest ever operated by the service.

In a radical departure, a new multi-role vessel (MRV) will be able to carry troops and armoured vehicles on UN or EU Battlegroup missions and deliver them to the latest hot spot worldwide. It will also be the most expensive and capable ship ever built for the Naval Service if, as expected, the Government gives the go-ahead later this year.

Two new larger ships are needed within the next three years because 'LE Emer' and 'LE Aoife' will both have reached the end of their 30-year lives.

Two new ships built in the UK for the Naval Service in the last few years cost €50m, but the new ships are expected to be much more costly.

Naval experts are now studying exactly what type of new ships will be needed to support the Defence Forces up to 2040. A report will then be submitted to Defence Minister Willie O'Dea.

Military experts were greatly impressed by the Royal Netherlands Navy ship 'Rotterdam' which was used in Liberia for amphibious landings of Irish troops and armoured vehicles.

Equipped with a hospital and helicopter, it was able to provide excellent accommodation, hot meals and showers for weary Irish troops coming off patrol.

But at 14,000 tons it is too big for Ireland's needs and experts are looking at the much smaller Meko 200 MRV built by Blohm and Voss in Germany which could carry Irish armoured personnel carriers on deck as well as troops.

Another MRV has been bought by the Royal New Zealand Navy and is able to carry 250 troops, 16 Mowag armoured vehicles and trucks as well as helicopters and landing craft.

Ireland has committed a 200-strong company of troops in armoured personnel carriers to the EU Battlegroup concept.

But it has no means of transporting them apart from using commercial carriers or by asking for help from other Battlegroup members, such as Sweden.

The Government is setting up a new humanitarian disaster corps to respond to natural disasters like the tsunami, but there is no means of transporting volunteers or aid independently.

Another argument being made in favour of a larger ship is that Ireland could submit a claim to the UN for sovereign rights over our continental shelf extending far beyond the 200-mile limit which would also have to be patrolled by the Navy.

Mr O'Dea has confirmed the two ships are due for replacement between 2007 and 2009 and expects a submission will be made to him for decision later this year.

Hi from NZ just a thought why doesnt the irish naval service ask the RNZN/NZ govt if you can have some of your own naval personnel during sea trials and delivery voyage to downunder.It might help in your future ship requirements and decisions.

Bladdy good idea that. I know there was a Kiwi on exchange with the Naval service here recently. Surely the gesture could be returned while the MRV is doing sea trials or during her delivery trip from the Netherlands.

Hi Goldie latest news is that the MRV is progressing well,the landing craft are readyand the cranes to be installed.Sea trials to start shortly in june/july got to give those dutchy shipbuilders credit they dont muck around.New photos of the MRV alongside at merwede are on the nz navy past present and future website.